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SPN JUN 2010 FinishingTouches
www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk
pools has added to the opportunities for new materials and more dramatic looks. One non tile alternative which is getting known more and more by pool builders is a pebble finish imported from Australia called PebbleTec, a low-maintenance aggregate interior finish created – as the name suggest with pebbles.
PebbleTec is imported under licence into the UK, Channel Islands and Ireland by Aqua Stone Pool Finishes Ltd. Pool pebbling is a growing 2010 option. They have been used widely throughout the world – the majority of pools in Australia, where the system originated, are pebbled. Some 40,000 pools were pebbled in the US recently and the system is now used extensively throughout Europe. A conventional tiled pool takes four to six weeks to tile – first applying waterproof rendering then tiling. In contrast a pebbled pool can be pebbled in two to three days, and then be filled ready for use. A clear, consistent water colour is achieved with the resilient and long lasting pebble finish.
“The product is huge in Australia and becoming very popular in the United States“ according to Jane Waller, director of Aqua Stone Pool Finishes. This particular pool finish is getting a higher profile throughout the UK. Jane admits: “The product has been available in the UK for a while but I just don’t think the message got out enough initially. When we started with it we literally got in the van and trawled pool builders because while people had heard of it few pool builders knew enough about it.”
“While the pebble finish is great for new pools, the 33mm PebbleTec finish is ideal for refurbishments,” says Jane.
PebbleTec is created with pebbles from around the world that are selected for their colour and beauty. This stain-resistant surface has a natural, non-slip texture. Small, sea- eroded pebbles are graded to 1mm or 3mm for Pebble-Stone.
Pebble is mixed with white cement at a ratio of two thirds pebble to one third white cement and applied onto the pool shell, with the white cement being pressure-washed from the surface, exposing the finished pebble. The result is an attractive and natural pool finish, which, because it uses no grout, is not subject to the deterioration and discolouration, which often occurs within tiled pools.
ABOVE: The Grand Design pool was built by XL Pools who in turn subcontracted Aqua Stone Pool Finishes to apply the PebbleTec finish. The pool house had triple glazed windows which helped to heat the remainder of the main house; the pool itself was heated via solar panels. The owners of the property wanted to achieve a natural ecological look to the pool finish to mimic the rest of the house and chose PebbleTec Paradise Blue, the copings were black slate and the pool was freeboard. The pool size was 8 x 4m with a constant depth of 1.5m and corner steps. Originally the pool was of concrete block construction with a blinding coat applied by Aqua Stone Pool Finishes
LEFT: Two varieties of PebbleTec show the impact the finish can make around a pool
Pebble Sheen is a finish made from a colourful mosaic of tiny pebbles fused together and then lightly buffed to create a pool surface which glitters to the finish. It is available in 16 colours, some incorporated with small seashell pieces to add glitter. “The finish it provides is so attractive and adds so much to a pool– especially one which has perhaps got a bit tired looking,” added Jane. The application of the pebble finish is straightforward. The pebbles are mixed with natural while cement and rendered to the pool by hand. The pebbles interlock and when dry, any surface cement is taken off with a light acid wash. There is no cream to be brought to the surface and the entire coating is the same all the way through. Because 90- 95% of the surface is pebbles, it is much more resistant to acid and poor water chemistry. Pool builders normally expect a discount
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